Timberwolves at Grizzlies
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies will look to solidify their postseason chances when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. Memphis is riding a three-game winning streak that has propelled it into a tie with the New Orleans Hornets for the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference – just one game back of Portland and three games in front of ninth-place Houston. The Grizzlies also have a favorable schedule, with four of their remaining six games against the dregs of the West – bottom feeder Minnesota, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers (twice).
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSNO
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (43-33): Memphis came away with a huge road win Friday night, getting 28 points and 10 rebounds from Zach Randolph in a 93-81 victory at New Orleans. The Grizzlies are in a dead heat with the Hornets and have one more game against New Orleans on their home floor, where they have won five in a row and are 25-6 in their last 31 games. Tony Allen added 17 points and Marc Gasol had 13 and 10 rebounds as Memphis won for the sixth time in seven games.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (17-59): Minnesota is ready to throw in the towel, but there’s a good chance it would miss. The reeling Timberwolves tumbled to their ninth consecutive loss Friday, getting blown out at home by the Miami Heat 111-92. Minnesota led by a point at halftime, but the Heat opened the second half with a 27-3 blitz. To compound matters, the Timberwolves have injury issues. Center Darko Milicic suffered a sprained ankle Friday night and forward Kevin Love, in his second game back from a groin injury, questioned his availability for Saturday’s game.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Randolph has had a double-double in each of the last three games, averaging 23.6 points and 11.3 rebounds in the span. Tony Allen is averaging 20.3 points on 66.6 percent shooting (26 of 39) during that stretch. Minnesota’s Martell Webster had 22 points against Miami, more than he scored in his previous five games combined. First-round pick Wes Johnson has scored 11 points on 4-of-24 shooting in his last three.
KEY STATISTIC: History bodes well for Memphis in tonight’s matchup. The Grizzlies are a perfect 14-0 at home when facing an opponent playing the second of a back-to-back.
SEASON SERIES: Memphis has won all three meetings. The Grizzlies won at home 109-89 on Oct. 30 and have won the past two games in Minneapolis, 102-84 on Feb. 2 and 104-95 on Feb. 23.
KEY INJURIES: MINNESOTA: F Nikloa Pekovic (hip). MEMPHIS: G Jason Williams (back); G Xavier Henry (knee).
LAST WORD: The Grizzlies have withstood the loss of second-leading scorer Rudy Gay, going 12-7 since he suffered a season-ending injury on Feb. 15.